Pedestrian Deaths in Colorado: A Hopeful but Fragile Turnaround

For more than a decade, Colorado saw a relentless rise in pedestrian fatalities — a 161% increase that pushed annual deaths to record highs. In 2023, 136 pedestrians were killed statewide, the highest number in our history.

The most recent numbers, however, show something we have not seen in years: a decrease. CDOT reports 120 pedestrian deaths in 2024, down 12% from the year before. The first half of 2024 saw a 24% drop compared to the same period in 2023, and early 2025 data continues this downward trend.

This is encouraging progress, but it’s still fragile. The current totals remain far higher than they were a decade ago, and each statistic represents a person whose life was cut short.

The scope of the problem

• 120 pedestrian deaths in 2024, a 12% decrease from 2023.
• 136 deaths in 2023, the highest in state history.
• 72 deaths in the first three quarters of 2024, down from 96 in the same period of 2023.
• 32 pedestrian fatalities recorded in the first four months of 2025.

Most deadly crashes happen in low-light conditions – 78% occur at night – and the risk peaks in fall and winter, with December being the deadliest month.

What drivers can do

• Slow down in urban areas: Even a 5 mph speed reduction dramatically lowers the risk of killing someone in a collision.
• Yield in crosswalks: It is the law, and it saves lives.
• Be alert at night: Look for movement at the edges of your headlights.
• Eliminate distractions: Phones, food, and other diversions make it easy to miss a pedestrian.

A reason for hope

CDOT’s “Left Behind” campaign aims to humanize the statistics by sharing stories of those lost. Combined with enforcement and infrastructure changes, there is evidence these efforts are starting to work.

The bottom line: every driver has the power to keep this positive momentum going. Slowing down, scanning for people on foot, and treating every crosswalk as a potential life-saving moment can make the difference between a continued decline in deaths or another spike.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian crash, call or text 303-388-5304 for free legal advice.